Lawsuits Allege Camp Mystic’s Negligence Led to Deaths of 27 in July 4th Flood
Families of victims are seeking over $1 million in damages, alleging a failure to evacuate contributed to the tragic loss of life during the devastating Central Texas floods.
The families of seven campers and two counselors who perished during the catastrophic July 4th flooding in Central Texas filed three separate lawsuits against Camp Mystic on Monday, alleging that the camp’s leadership failed to adequately protect its charges, ultimately leading to their deaths. The lawsuits come after months of scrutiny surrounding the camp’s response to the disaster and the placement of cabins within a known floodplain. More than 130 people lost their lives across Central Texas during the floods, including 25 campers and two counselors at Camp Mystic – a group tragically referred to by grieving families as “Heaven’s 27.”
The legal actions, filed in Travis County district court, seek damages exceeding $1 million each. They name multiple members of the Eastland family, owners and operators of Camp Mystic, as defendants, including the estate of Richard “Dick” Eastland, who died attempting to rescue campers during the deluge.
“We carry the memory of our daughter in everything we do,” stated Ryan DeWitt, the father of 9-year-old Molly DeWitt, in a released statement. “This legal step is one of honoring her, and we believe that truth and justice are essential to finding peace — not only for our family, but for every family affected.”
The most extensive lawsuit, brought forth by the parents of five campers and two counselors, alleges a “self-created disaster” stemming from a series of poor decisions made by Camp Mystic’s leadership. The suit claims that camp equipment was prioritized for evacuation over the safety of children, and that counselors and campers situated in vulnerable cabins were instructed to remain in place rather than evacuate.
Parents of children who attended Camp Mystic were instrumental in advocating for stricter regulations on summer camps during recent special legislative sessions. They brought attention to both gaps in existing state regulations and what they characterized as a flawed evacuation plan at Camp Mystic, highlighting these as critical failures in the face of the historic flooding.
In response, legal counsel for Camp Mystic, Jeff Ray, stated the camp intends to demonstrate the absence of adequate warning systems on July 4th and the presence of misinformation within the parents’ claims. Mikal Watts, the camp’s attorney, asserted that many of the allegations and public perceptions surrounding Camp Mystic are “categorically false.” Watts emphasized the empathy of the camp’s leadership for the parents and their profound loss.
“[Camp Mystic] spent those three hours heroically saving 163 girls before what occurred,” Watts said, referencing the camp’s efforts during the crisis.
Despite the ongoing legal battles and the immense grief, many camps along the Guadalupe River, including Camp Mystic, have announced plans to reopen for the 2026 summer season. This announcement has sparked further outrage among the affected families, who claim they were not consulted regarding the construction of a memorial intended to honor their children.
The larger lawsuit alleges that the proposed memorial is being used by the camp as a “recruiting tool.” Watts countered this claim, stating the memorial is a gesture by “good, Christian families” to acknowledge the loss of Dick Eastland, the campers, and the counselors.
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